The Skinny on Postpartum Stress

I am a big believer in relaxation, breastfeeding, rest, and proper diet to help moms slowly return to their pre-baby bodies. I work with celebrities who have to look a certain way before they get back into the limelight and there is an unrealistic pressure to be rail thin after having a child.

Pregnancy is a big experience for the body to undergo and a woman must be supported throughout.When a mother perceives stress, she floods the body with stress hormones most notably cortisol, which actually contributes to the development of belly fat. Which means that last little bit of “pooch” that doesn’t quite appear to be loose skin from pregnancy could in fact be belly fat produced over time as a response to stressers.

Here are my seven “Glow Tips” for managing postnatal stress and snapping back to the pre-baby body:

1. Relax

It’s not a competition to lose the weight. Focus on bonding and enjoying your baby, and the weight will peel off when you’re not in “freak out mode.”

2. Stay Hydrated

Continue with drinking tons of fluids, especially water. Three liters of water daily can increase your metabolism by 33% and it will ensure that you produce more milk.

3. Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is Mother Nature’s answer to weight loss. Nursing your babe regularly will burn up to 600 calories per day.

4. Exercise

Don’t go crazy, but moderate exercise 3 to 4 days per week will ensure steady weight loss. Do activities you enjoy: yoga, cycling, roller blading, swimming, jogging, but make sure you have your doctor’s clearance to start after 6 weeks postpartum.

5. Breathe Deep

Meditation and breath awareness exercises have been proven to reverse the stress response in the body and help induce a sense of peace and calm.

6. Take Glow Time

Every mother needs some time for herself, to recharge the batteries, whether it’s taking a warm bath, getting a massage, reading a good book, watching a movie, or going to lunch with friends, or find time for nurturing yourself so you can feel at ease and appreciate yourself.

If you can incorporate some or all of these Glow tips into your arsenal, then you will find a smoother transition in the postnatal period. Pick up a copy of my bestselling book Mama Glow to learn more.

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About Latham Thomas

Latham Thomas is a maternity lifestyle maven, wellness & birth coach, and yoga teacher on the vanguard of transforming the maternal & women's wellness movement. A graduate of Columbia University & The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Latham is the founder of Mama Glow a holistic lifestyle hub for women to explore their creative edge through wellbeing. Her practice provides support to pre/postnatal women along their journey to motherhood offering culinary and nutritional services, yoga, and birth coaching services. She published her first book, Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy," in November of 2012 with Hay House. Latham is helping to green the planet one belly at a time.